JAN KNIGHT DESIGNS

Saturday, August 15, 2009

I was like a "woman on a mission" with the quilting and after the some 17 years between applique/embroidery etc for the quilt top it's a good thing. I finished the hand quilting probably almost a week ago but projects/instructions for the magazines and other thing got in the way and I've only just sewn the binding on just now. I had to take a pic of the whole quilt for one of my students who needs to collect her "bits & pieces" for it so thought I'd share. WILL take some close-ups of the individual blocks that I haven't shown yet and post them through the week. We're off, out to the lake tomorrow to have a BBQ lunch with Ross's Dad before he leaves for home on Tuesday so will take it and do the hand stitching. The men will be "man talking" so I'll enjoy the lovely day and sew! I will try to remember to take the camera so you can see how lovely it is out there. Ross is VERY lucky to actually have his office with lake views and where Dad is camped is the picnic spot for the Research Station where Ross has worked for the last, almost 20 years. The state government has decided to close down the research station which is a very sad thing so we're not too sure where our future will be. It's the most beautiful piece of real estate and has been the research centre for almost 75 years. Sad times!!!

I hope everyone else is enjoying a great weekend and maybe stitching as well. :)

Sunday, August 2, 2009

I've had such a passion to complete this quilt I'm now quilting the outside border! Hand quilting is like that to me though - very addictive! It's; "I'll just complete this block" OR "Just one more length of thread" and I must admit, I've rather "sat" at it since I basted it and it's given me so

much pleasure as it's been quite a number of years since I've hand quilted a reasonable size project. This particular block utilises the old-fashioned, crocheted crinolean ladies that were often put into the corner of a ladies handkerchief. I added the lace under the skirt and when the quilt is complete AND washed I will stiffen the lace somehow so that the skirt stands out. As I've been quilting I've realised JUST how dirty it is! I guess being handled so much over the years in teaching the blocks etc it has to have become quite dirty.

I will photograph the remaining blocks and post them each day, all going well. I designed quite a number of blocks using this motif for all of the students - leaning against a wishing well; under an archway; in an arbour and walking down a path. They all looked wonderful and it was great to give that personal touch to each person's individual quilt.

The "delphiniums" each took me around 40 hours to complete! The are made-up of countless colonial knots with just 2 strands of a hand dyed silk thread. I let the thread give me the colour graduation.

Amidst all this hand quilting I've had a rush visit on Saturday afternoon to see the eye specialist as I had developed a "floater" plus flashes in my right eye. At this stage, all is well but I see him again this coming Thursday to double check that there is no tear in the retina. Apparantly the floater AND the flashes is relatively normal for "a woman of my age"!!! :)

I also have started my bag workshop at the shop in Mossman again and had a lovely time last Wednesday night with the ladies working on a range of different bags. Silly me forgot to take my camera! An unexpected pleasure on the Thursday was, a traveller arriving to show the girls his range of buttons and fabrics. I could have spent a fortune if it were me ordering but, thankfully, I had no say! lol I would go bankrupt very quickly if I owned my own store!

I must get back to my quilting - hope this finds you all well and happy and until next time; happ stitching!

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WELCOME

Welcome to my blog and I hope you enjoy reading my entries. I'm going to try to be informative and helpful as well as interesting to everyone.I live in a wonderful part of the world where there is much inspiration from my surroundings as well as the people around me.

About Me

I'm in my lateish fifties and love all things textile. I am a designer and have had lots of projects published in magazines as well as marketing my designs in the patchwork/applique/quilting field retail and wholesale. Also love music, reading and sharing my time with family and friends. My two greatest achievements are my children - Kirsten and Matthew.